Systems and methods for resolution consistent semantic zooming

A method for media item selection in a media system comprising the steps of:

• displaying a plurality of media items as images on a display screen of said media system;
• maintaining a data structure which contains information associated with a local coordinate system for said media items;
• transforming said local coordinate system using a transform matrix to generate a resolution independent data set for said media items;
• mapping said resolution independent data set to pixels associated with a currently displayed portion of said GUI;
• receiving user input to said media system;
• zooming in on said plurality of media items based on said user input until at least one control object is visible on said display screen, wherein zooming further comprises the step of:
• zooming in steps between predetermined magnification levels, wherein each step is associated with a corresponding user input,
• further wherein one of said predetermined magnification levels represents a semantic zooming threshold and wherein said at least one control object becomes visible on said display screen when said semantic zooming threshold is reached and wherein said semantic zooming threshold is determined based upon a resolution of said display screen;
• and
• operating, by said user, one of said control objects to select a corresponding media item.

A method for displaying an interface object on a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising the steps of:

• displaying an interface object at a first zoom level, wherein said interface object is displayed with at least one feature removed therefrom;
• receiving a command to zoom in on said interface object;
• determining that a zoom threshold has been reached with respect to said removal of said at least one feature, wherein said zoom threshold is determined based, at least in part, on a resolution of a display device;
• and
• maintaining a data structure which contains information associated with a local coordinate system for said interface object;
• transforming said local coordinate system using a transform matrix to generate a resolution independent data set for said interface object;
• mapping said resolution independent data set to pixels associated with a currently displayed portion of said GUI;
• displaying said interface object at a second zoom level, wherein said at least one feature is included.